tennis
Zverev: “I’d like to be under the radar” at the French Open
Alexander Zverev has celebrated a successful return to the French Open. photo
© Aurelien Morissard/AP/dpa
From Alexander Zverev’s point of view, the difficult start at the French Open does not yet allow many conclusions for the rest of the tournament. The Olympic champion has to improve. He likes to have a role.
Alexander Zverev feels comfortable in a media outsider role at the French Open even after his successful return. “I like to be under the radar. I think it’s calmer and more relaxed,” said the 26-year-old Olympic champion after his sometimes difficult opening win against South African Lloyd Harris.
A year after his serious injury in Paris, he felt a lot of attention from the spectators. “The less attention I get from the media, the better,” said Zverev. Unlike last year, when he twisted his ankle in the semifinals against eventual winner Rafael Nadal, the former world number two is not one of the title contenders. Since his comeback, Zverev has been waiting for a win against a top professional.
From his point of view, the 7: 6 (8: 6), 7: 6 (7: 0), 6: 1 over Harris does not allow too many conclusions for further appearances on the clay court classic. “I’ve never had a good first round in a Grand Slam in my life, so it’s difficult to say,” said Zverev on Tuesday. In the next round he meets the Slovak Alex Molcan and is favored again.
The memory of the injury drama of the previous year played no role for him during the return. “As long as I’m not in pain, I’m fine,” said Zverev. “Of course sometimes I still have fluid or I have some pressure in my foot, then it’s different to move.”